Hydrocarbon Mixtures and Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to hydrocarbon mixtures containing the  14 C isotope, use thereof and cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical preparations comprising hydrocarbon mixtures containing the  14 C isotope.

The present invention relates to hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise ¹⁴C isotopes, to the use thereof in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations, and to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise ¹⁴C isotopes.

STATE OF THE ART

Sensorily light oil bodies, known as “light emollients”, are used by the cosmetics industry in a multitude of formulations. Especially for decorative cosmetics or in care formulations, what are known as “light” components are used. These components may, for example, be volatile, cyclic silicones (e.g. cyclopentasiloxane or cyclomethicone) or hydrocarbons from petrochemical processes. Owing to their preparation, the latter substances are predominantly mixtures of linear, cyclic and branched hydrocarbons whose flashpoint may quite possibly be below 50° C. (as, for example, in the case of isododecane). Examples and application-related descriptions of such formulations can be found in standard works, for example: “Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology”, A. Barel, M. Paye, H. Maibach, Marcel Dekker Inc. 2001. For toxicological, ecological and safety reasons, however, there will in the future be a demand for alternative raw materials for such formulation tasks.

Substances used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations under the name “mineral oil” include the liquid distillation products which are obtained from mineral raw materials (mineral oil, brown and hard coals) and consist essentially of mixtures of saturated hydrocarbons with linear, cyclic and/or branched structure. These hydrocarbon mixtures must, however, be purified and chemically modified in a complicated manner before they meet the demands on cosmetic raw materials.

It was an object of the invention to find alternative raw materials which are ecologically and toxicologically uncontroversial. More particularly, it was of interest to provide raw materials which can be used directly in cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations without complicated purification steps. These raw materials should preferably be obtainable on the basis of renewable raw materials. These raw materials should be usable directly in typical cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations without application-related restrictions. Furthermore, the raw materials should have improved sensory properties over the hydrocarbon mixtures of the prior art, and it would also be desirable that these raw materials have a better skin compatibility. It was of particular interest to provide raw materials whose possible uses with regard to formulation or sensory properties are comparable to those of silicone oils, especially to those of low-viscosity silicone oils, for example dimethicones. It was desirable, more particularly, to provide raw materials which are suitable as substitutes for silicone oils. It was additionally of interest to provide raw materials which have an improved CO₂ balance compared to the prior art raw materials.

It was a further object to provide raw materials which enable a stable formulation with AP/Deo (=antiperspirant/deodorant) active ingredients. Cosmetic formulations for the antiperspirants/deodorants category, especially in so-called “stick formulations”, still have the problem of insufficient stability of the cosmetic base. In this context, one property in need of improvement is the hardness of the “stick formulation” produced. A disadvantage of existing “stick formulations” is that changes in odor arise during storage. It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide raw materials which enable antiperspirant or deodorant formulations, especially those in “stick formulations”, to be provided in stable form. These formulations should not exhibit any undesired evolution of odor, especially in the course of prolonged storage. It was a further object to provide raw materials which impart a sensorily “light” impression, if at all possible with simultaneously improved skin compatibility, especially in combination with UV light protection filters and in combination with self-tanning agents. Of particular interest is the provision of novel raw materials which enable a sensorily advantageous impression in decorative cosmetics formulations. Owing to the site of application (principally face and hands), increased demands are made on the sensory properties, especially the volatility, on formulations in decorative cosmetics, for example lipsticks, eyeshadow, mascara, nail varnish, etc., in order that these products do not give the impression of “heaviness”. In addition, good dispersibility of pigments is desirable in these products.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1.

The term “two different hydrocarbons” refers to hydro-carbons having different carbon numbers.

The term “carbon number” includes all carbon atoms present in the hydrocarbon. It is thus, for example, 11 for undecane or 13 for tridecane.

This means that, when the hydrocarbon mixture comprises a hydrocarbon with a carbon number of n (n=integer), the mixture also comprises at least one further hydrocarbon with a carbon number of greater than or equal to n+2 or less than or equal to n−2.

n is preferably an odd number, especially 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and/or 23.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by 2. In this embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon mixture comprises, in addition to the hydrocarbon with a carbon number of n, also at least one hydrocarbon with a carbon number of n+2.

In a preferred embodiment, the hydrocarbons present in the hydrocarbon mixture differ by not more than 10 carbon atoms, preferably by not more than 8 carbon atoms, especially by not more than 6 carbon atoms, preferably by not more than 4 carbon atoms.

The invention further comprises a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprises a hydrocarbon having a carbon number of n, and also at least one further hydrocarbon with a carbon number of n+2 and/or n+4 and/or n+6 and/or n+8 and/or n+10.

The hydrocarbons are preferably selected from the group of the hydrocarbons having 7 to 23 carbon atoms, preferably having 11 to 21 carbon atoms.

Hydrocarbons refer to organic compounds which consist only of carbon and hydrogen. They include both cyclic and acyclic (=aliphatic) compounds. They include both saturated and mono- or polyunsaturated compounds. The hydrocarbons may be linear or branched. According to the number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbons can be divided into odd-numbered hydrocarbons (for example nonane, undecane, tridecane) or even-numbered hydrocarbons (for example octane, dodecane, tetradecane). According to the branching, the hydrocarbons can be divided into linear (=unbranched) or branched hydrocarbons. Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons are also referred to as paraffins.

A “hydrocarbon mixture” in the context of the invention is understood to mean mixtures of hydrocarbons which contain up to 10% by weight of substances which are not hydrocarbons. The percentages by weight of the hydrocarbons are based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons present in the mixture. The nonhydrocarbons which are present up to 10% by weight are not considered for this calculation.

The substances which are not hydrocarbons and which may be present up to 10% by weight, especially up to 8% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight, in the inventive hydrocarbon mixture are, for example, fatty alcohols, which remain in the hydrocarbon mixture as unconverted reactants.

The term “CX hydrocarbon” encompasses hydrocarbons having a carbon number of X; for example, the term “C11 hydrocarbon” encompasses all hydrocarbons with a carbon number of 11.

The parameter “sum of the hydrocarbons” includes all hydrocarbons present in the mixture, irrespective of their carbon number.

The term “nuclides” refers to atom types (atoms including electron shell) which are characterized by the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, i.e. by atomic number and mass number (number of neutrons=mass number−atomic number). Isotopes are nuclides of equal atomic number (=nuclear charge, proton number) but different number of neutrons present in the nucleus and hence different mass number [=nucleon number, number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) present in an atomic nucleus]. Apart from by mass, isotopes also differ by angular momentum (nuclear spin), magnetic moment and electrical quadrupole moment.

For clear designation of the isotopes, the notation generally customary for nuclides is used: ^(A) _(z)X (X=chemical symbol, A=mass number, Z=nuclear charge); thus, ¹² ₆C is used for the stable isotopes of carbon, or alternatively the notation ¹²C or C-12.

The element carbon has a total of 2 stable isotopes, ¹²C and ¹³C. 98.9% ¹²C is present in nature, and 1.1% ¹³C. In addition to these two stable isotopes, there are also many unstable isotopes. The best known unstable isotope is ¹⁴C with a half-life of 5730 years. ¹⁴C forms by natural nuclear reaction in the atmosphere from ¹⁴N: the earth is constantly exposed to cosmic radiation; when this radiation hits the uppermost layers of the earth's atmosphere, this forms free neutrons. These in turn react with nitrogen, which constitutes about 80% of the air in the lower atmosphere. This involves the following reaction:

¹⁴ N+ ¹ n→ ¹⁴ C+ ¹ p

The nucleus of a nitrogen atom with mass number 14 (7 neutrons, 7 protons) absorbs one neutron. With release of one proton, the nitrogen atom forms the radioactive carbon isotope ¹⁴C (8 neutrons, 6 protons), i.e. the mass number remains the same. ¹²C carbon, in contrast, has 6 neutrons and 6 protons—i.e. is lighter than ¹⁴C.

The ¹⁴C generated in the atmosphere joins to oxygen present to form carbon dioxide. As a result of photosynthesis in plants, ¹⁴C thus subsequently gets into the biosphere. Since life forms are constantly exchanging carbon with the atmosphere as they metabolize, the same distribution ratio of the three carbon isotopes ¹²C-12, ¹³C-12 and ¹⁴C is thus established in living organisms as is present in the atmosphere: living organisms contain approx. 1.2 radio-active ¹⁴C isotopes per 10¹² stable ¹²C and ¹³C isotopes.

When carbon is removed from this cycle (i.e. it becomes fossil), the ratio between ¹⁴C and ¹²C changes, since the ¹⁴C isotopes which decompose are not replaced by new ones.

Fossil fuels, such as mineral oil, natural gas or coal, formed more than 100 million years ago, i.e. these fuels no longer contain any ¹⁴C isotopes since the ¹⁴C isotopes originally present have decomposed and no new ¹⁴C isotopes have been absorbed. Accordingly, hydro-carbons which originate from fossil sources do not contain any ¹⁴C isotopes.

The invention provides hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise ¹⁴C isotopes.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons. The invention relates to mixtures in which at least one hydrocarbon contains ¹⁴C isotopes; preferably, two different hydrocarbons contain ¹⁴C isotopes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all hydrocarbons present in the hydrocarbon mixture contain ¹⁴C isotopes.

For illustration: when the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises n-undecane and n-tridecane, at least one of the hydrocarbons must contain ¹⁴C isotopes, i.e. either n-undecane or n-tridecane; preferably, both hydrocarbons contain ¹⁴C isotopes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of the ¹⁴C isotopes relative to the ¹²C isotopes is greater than or equal to 1×10⁻¹⁶, especially greater than or equal to 1×10⁻¹⁵, preferably greater than or equal to 7.5×10⁻¹⁴, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5×10⁻¹³, especially greater than or equal to 3×10⁻¹³, preferably in the range from 6×10⁻¹³ to 1.2×10⁻¹². The reference parameter is all hydrocarbons present in the hydrocarbon mixture.

The ¹⁴C content of a sample can be determined either by counting the decomposing ¹⁴C isotopes in a counting tube (Libby counting tube method), in a liquid scintillation spectrometer or by counting the ¹⁴C isotopes still present by accelerator mass spectrometry. Accelerator mass spectrometry (abbreviation: AMS) can detect ¹⁴C isotopes in very small sample amounts (milligram range) in the ppt to ppq range (from 10⁻¹² to 10⁻¹⁶) with the aid of nuclear-physical analysis methods.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than one and which comprises less than or equal to 50% by weight, especially less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 2% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, of branched hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than one and which comprises less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 2% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, of aromatic hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon mixture comprises less than or equal to 0.1%, especially less than or equal to 0.01% and especially less than or equal to 0.001% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than one and which comprises less than or equal to 50% by weight, especially less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 2% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, of unsaturated hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon mixture comprises less than or equal to 0.1%, especially less than or equal to 0.01% and especially less than or equal to 0.001% by weight of unsaturated hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than one and which comprises less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 15% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 9% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, of even-numbered hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than one and in which the two different hydrocarbons make up at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight-based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

It is particularly preferred when these two different hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by 2. In other words, in a preferred embodiment of the inventive hydrocarbon mixture, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, consist of a hydrocarbon with the carbon number n and a hydrocarbon with the carbon number n+2.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C11 and Linear C13 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons. The linear C11 hydrocarbon is preferably n-undecane. The linear C13 hydrocarbon is preferably n-tridecane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C12, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C15, C17, C19, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred linear C15 hydrocarbon is n-pentadecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane; a preferred linear C19 hydrocarbon is n-nonadecane.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons, and at least one linear C15 hydrocarbon and/or a linear C17 hydrocarbon. A preferred linear C15 hydrocarbon is n-pentadecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, wherein the mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C-11 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-undecane     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C-13 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-tridecane     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C-11 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-undecane     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C-13 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-tridecane     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C11 hydrocarbons to linear C13 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C11 and/or linear C13 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; both the linear C11 and the linear C13 hydrocarbons are preferably a saturated hydrocarbon (n-undecane and n-tridecane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C-12 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons having a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 14 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons having a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 14 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons having a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 10 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises C12 and C14 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C11 hydrocarbons to the linear C13 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C11 hydrocarbons to linear C13 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C12 to C14 hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C11 and Linear C15 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons. The linear C11 hydrocarbon is preferably n-undecane. The linear C15 hydrocarbon is preferably n-pentadecane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C12, C13, C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C13, C17, C19, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred C13 hydrocarbon is n-tridecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane; a preferred linear C19 hydrocarbon is n-nonadecane.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, and at least one linear C13 hydrocarbon and/or a linear C17 hydrocarbon. A preferred linear C13 hydrocarbon is n-tridecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C-11 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-undecane,     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C-15 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-pentadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C11 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-undecane,     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C15 hydrocarbons,         preferably, preferably n-pentadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C11 hydrocarbons to linear C15 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C11 and/or linear C15 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; preferably, both the linear C11 and the linear C13 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons (n-undecane and n-pentadecane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C12 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 16 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length less than or equal to 14 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 10 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises C12 and C16 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C11 hydrocarbons to the linear C15 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C11 hydrocarbons to linear C15 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C12 to C16 hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C13 and Linear C15 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons. The linear C13 hydrocarbon is preferably n-tridecane. The linear C15 hydrocarbon is preferably n-pentadecane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C11, C12, C14, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C11, C17, C19, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred linear C11 hydrocarbon is n-undecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane; a preferred linear C19 hydrocarbon is n-nonadecane.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C-13 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-tridecane,     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C-15 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-pentadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C13 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-tridecane,     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C15 hydrocarbons,         preferably, preferably n-pentadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C13 hydrocarbons to linear C15 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C13 and/or linear C15 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; preferably, both the linear C13 and the linear C15 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons (n-tridecane and n-pentadecane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C14 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 16 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 16 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 12 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise C14 and C16 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C13 hydrocarbons to the linear C15 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C13 hydrocarbons to linear C15 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C14 to C16 hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C15 and Linear C17 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons. The linear C15 hydrocarbon is preferably n-pentadecane. The linear C17 hydrocarbon is preferably n-heptadecane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C11, C12, C13, C14, C16, C18, C19, C20, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C11, C13, C19, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred linear C11 hydrocarbon is n-undecane; a preferred linear C13 hydrocarbon is n-tridecane; a preferred linear C19 hydrocarbon is n-nonadecane.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C15 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-pentadecane,     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C17 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-heptadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C15 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-pentadecane,     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C17 hydrocarbons,         preferably, preferably n-heptadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C15 hydrocarbons to linear C17 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C15 and/or linear C17 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; preferably, both the linear C15 and the linear C17 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons (n-pentadecane and n-heptadecane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C16 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 18 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 18 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 14 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise C16 and C18 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C15 hydrocarbons to the linear C17 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C15 hydrocarbons to linear C17 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C16 to C18 hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C17 and Linear C19 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons. The linear C17 hydrocarbon is preferably n-heptadecane. The linear C19 hydrocarbon is preferably n-nonadecane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C18, C20, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C11, C13, C15, C21 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred linear C11 hydrocarbon is n-undecane; a preferred linear C13 hydrocarbon is n-tridecane; a preferred linear C15 hydrocarbon is n-pentadecane. A particularly preferred further linear hydrocarbon is n-heneicosane (C21 linear, saturated).

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C17 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-heptadecane,     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C19 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-nonadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C17 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-heptadecane,     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C19 hydrocarbons,         preferably, preferably n-nonadecane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C17 hydrocarbons to linear C19 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C17 and/or linear C19 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; preferably, both the linear C17 and the linear C19 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons (n-heptadecane and n-nonadecane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C18 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 20 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 18 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 16 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise C18 and C20 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C17 hydrocarbons to the linear C19 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C17 hydrocarbons to linear C19 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C18 to C20 hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

Hydrocarbon Mixture Comprising Linear C19 and Linear C21 Hydrocarbons

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, and which comprises linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons. The linear C19 hydrocarbon is preferably n-nonadecane. The linear C21 hydrocarbon is preferably n-heneicosane. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixture comprises linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons, and at least one further linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C20 and C23 hydrocarbons, preferably selected from the group consisting of C11, C13, C15, C17 and C23 hydrocarbons. Preference is given to linear saturated hydrocarbons. A preferred linear C11 hydrocarbon is n-undecane; a preferred linear C13 hydrocarbon is n-tridecane; a preferred linear C17 hydrocarbon is n-heptadecane.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which mixture comprises

-   -   (a) 50 to 90% by weight of linear C19 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-nonadecane,     -   (b) 10 to 50% by weight of linear C21 hydrocarbons, preferably         n-heneicosane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which comprise

-   -   (a) 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of linear C19 hydrocarbons,         preferably n-nonadecane,     -   (b) 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of linear C21 hydrocarbons,         preferably, preferably n-heneicosane,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, characterized in that the sum of the linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of linear C19 hydrocarbons to linear C21 hydrocarbons is 1.5 to 3.5.

Particular preference is given to inventive hydrocarbon mixtures in which the linear C19 and/or linear C21 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons; preferably, both the linear C19 and the linear C21 hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons (n-nonadecane and n-heneicosane).

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 3% by weight, of C20 hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 22 is less than or equal to 15% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. Particular preference is given to hydrocarbon mixtures in which the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length greater than or equal to 22 is less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 4% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, based in each case on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, comprising linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons, wherein the sum of the linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, and the sum of the hydrocarbons with a carbon chain length of less than or equal to 18 is less than or equal to 3% by weight, especially less than or equal to 2% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1.5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures comprise C20 and C22 hydrocarbons, preferably in the same weight ratio relative to one another as the linear C19 hydrocarbons to the linear C21 hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the weight ratio of linear C19 hydrocarbons to linear C21 hydrocarbons and the weight ratio of C20 to C₂₂ hydrocarbons are 1.5 to 3.5.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially for use in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations, especially as oil bodies and/or as dispersants.

The invention further provides a process for producing a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation, wherein a hydrocarbon mixture as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 is added to a cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically suitable carrier.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially for use in cosmetic formulations for care of skin and/or hair.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially for use in cosmetic formulations for sun protection.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially for use in decorative cosmetics formulations, for example lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeshadow, mascara, eye pencils (kohl), nail varnish, and in makeup formulations of any kind (powders, creams, foundations, coversticks, etc.).

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially for use in formulations for cleaning skin and/or hair, for example shampoos, shower gels, bath additives, conditioners, etc.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are also suitable for producing finely divided emulsions, for example nanoemulsions, microemulsions or PIT emulsions. In such finely divided emulsions, the oil droplets are generally present with a diameter in the range from 10 to 1000 nm, preferably 100 to 500 nm. These are produced by processes known to those skilled in the art, described for PIT emulsions, for example, in Parfümerie and Kosmetik [Perfumery and Cosmetics], volume 77, no. 4/96, p. 250-254, by Wadle et al.

Production of the Hydrocarbon Mixtures

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures can be obtained, for example, by reductive demethylation of vegetable fatty alcohols. A particularly suitable process for producing the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures is the process for reductive dehydroxymethylation proceeding from fatty alcohols of vegetable origin, described in international application PCT/EP2006/011647 (Cognis). In this process, for example, fatty alcohols of desired carbon chain length can be subjected individually to the process described, and the hydrocarbons thus obtained can be mixed to give the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures. It is preferred, however, to subject a mixture which comprises the corresponding fatty alcohols directly to the reductive dehydroxy-methylation, and such that the reaction product obtained directly is the inventive hydrocarbon mixture. This can then be used directly, without further purification, in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations.

Cosmetic and/or Pharmaceutical Formulations

The invention further provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight, preferably 5 to 50% by weight, especially 10 to 30% by weight, of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes. The percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

The hydrocarbon mixtures present in the inventive formulations are always mixtures of at least two different hydrocarbons. These may differ in terms of carbon number by 1, 2, 3, 4, carbon atoms, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2.

The proportion of the ¹⁴C isotopes relative to the ¹²C isotopes in the hydrocarbon mixture present in the inventive formulations is greater than or equal to 1×10⁻¹⁶, especially greater than or equal to 1×10⁻¹⁵, preferably greater than or equal to 7.5×10⁻¹⁴, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5×10⁻¹³, especially greater than or equal to 3×10⁻¹³; the proportion of the ¹⁴C isotopes relative to the ¹²C isotopes is preferably in the range from 6×10⁻¹³ to 1.2×10⁻¹². The reference parameter here is all hydrocarbons present in the inventive formulation.

The hydrocarbon mixture present in the inventive formulation preferably comprises at least one hydrocarbon containing ¹⁴C isotopes; preferably, two different hydrocarbons contain ¹⁴C isotopes. More preferably, the two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, contain ¹⁴C isotopes.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise less than or equal to 50% by weight, especially less than or equal to 20% by weight, less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, especially less than or equal to 1% by weight, of branched hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

The parameter “sum of the hydrocarbons” in cosmetic, and/or pharmaceutical formulations encompasses all hydrocarbons present in the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation, irrespective of their carbon number.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1% by weight, of aromatic hydrocarbons based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the formulations comprise less than or equal to 0.1%, especially less than or equal to 0.01% and especially less than or equal to 0.001% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise less than or equal to 50% by weight, especially less than or equal to 20% by weight, less than or equal to 10% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 1% by weight, of unsaturated hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the formulations comprise less than or equal to 0.1%, especially less than or equal to 0.01% and especially less than or equal to 0.001% by weight of unsaturated hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise hydrocarbon mixtures which comprise less than or equal to 20% by weight, especially less than or equal to 15% by weight, especially less than or equal to 10% by weight, preferably less than or equal to 9% by weight, especially less than or equal to 8% by weight, especially less than or equal to 5% by weight, of even-numbered hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

The invention further provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight, preferably 5 to 50% by weight, especially 10 to 30% by weight, of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and in which 2 different hydrocarbons make up at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight-based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations in which the sum of the two different hydrocarbons is greater than or equal to 70% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 80% by weight, preferably greater than or equal to 90% by weight, more preferably greater than or equal to 95% by weight, especially greater than or equal to 99% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons. In one embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon mixture of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation consists exclusively of two different hydrocarbons.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise 0.1 to 80% by weight, preferably 5 to 50% by weight, especially 10 to 30% by weight, of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and in which two different hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of

-   -   linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons,     -   linear C11 and linear C15 hydrocarbons,     -   linear C13 and linear C15 hydrocarbons,     -   linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons,     -   linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons and/or     -   linear C19 and linear C21 hydrocarbons.

These formulations can be obtained, for example, by using an inventive hydrocarbon mixture or by using defined amounts of individual hydrocarbons.

Particular preference is given to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and wherein the hydrocarbon mixture

-   -   comprises 50 to 90% by weight of a hydrocarbon with the carbon         number n,     -   comprises 10 to 50% by weight of a hydrocarbon with the carbon         number n+2,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons, where n is an integer from         7 to 23, preferably 11 to 21.

Particular preference is given to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, wherein the hydrocarbon mixture

-   -   comprises 55 to 80% by weight, especially 60 to 75% by weight,         especially 65 to 70% by weight, of a hydrocarbon with the carbon         number n,     -   comprises 20 to 45% by weight, especially 24 to 40% by weight,         especially 24 to 30% by weight, of a hydrocarbon with the carbon         number n,     -   based on the sum of the hydrocarbons,         where n is an integer from 7 to 23, preferably 11 to 21.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of the hydrocarbons with the carbon number n to the hydrocarbon with the carbon number n+2 in the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations is 1.5 to 3.5.

The inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations are light and stable cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations, which is the case especially when they further comprise antiperspirant/deodorant active ingredients.

The invention therefore relates to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one antiperspirant/deodorant active ingredient.

According to the invention, suitable antiperspirant/deodorant active ingredients are all active ingredients which counteract, mask or eliminate body odors. Body odors arise as a result of the action of skin bacteria on apocrine perspiration, which forms unpleasant-smelling degradation products. Suitable antiperspirant/deodorant active ingredients are especially compounds selected from the group consisting of antiperspirants, esterase inhibitors, bactericidal or bacteriostatic active ingredients and/or perspiration-absorbing substances.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants are salts of aluminum, of zirconium or of zinc. Such suitable antihydrotic active ingredients are, for example, aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum dichlorohydrate, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate and complexes thereof, for example with 1,2-propylene glycol, aluminum hydroxy-allantoinate, aluminum chloride tartrate, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetra-chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium pentachlorohydrate and complexes thereof, for example with amino acids such as glycine. Preference is given to using aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium pentachlorohydrate and complexes thereof.

The inventive formulations may comprise the antiperspirants in amounts of 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 30% and especially 8 to 25% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

Esterase Inhibitors

In the presence of perspiration in the underarm region, bacteria form extracellular enzymes—esterases, preferably proteases and/or lipases—which cleave esters present in the perspiration and thus release odorants. Suitable esterase inhibitors are preferably trialkyl citrates such as trimethyl citrate, tripropyl citrate, triisopropyl citrate, tributyl citrate and especially triethyl citrate (Hydagen® CAT, Cognis GmbH, Düsseldorf/FRG). The substances inhibit enzyme activity and hence reduce odor formation. Further substances which are possible esterase inhibitors are sterol sulfates or phosphates, for example sulfates or phosphates of lanosterol, of cholesterol, of campesterol, of stigmasterol and of sitosterol, dicarboxylic acids and esters thereof, for example glutaric acid, monoethyl glutarate, diethyl glutarate, adipic acid, monoethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, malonic acid and diethyl malonate, hydroxycarboxylic acids and esters thereof, for example citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid or diethyl tartrate, and zinc glycinate.

The inventive formulations may comprise the esterase inhibitors in amounts of 0.01 to 20%, preferably 0.1 to 10% and especially 0.3 to 5% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

Bactericidal or Bacteriostatic Active Ingredients

Typical examples of suitable bactericidal or bacteriostatic active ingredients are especially chitosan and phenoxyethanol. 5-Chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol has also been found to be particularly effective, and is sold under the Irgasan® brand by Ciba-Geigy, Basle, Switzerland. Suitable germicides are in principle all substances which act against Gram-positive bacteria, for example 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and the salts and esters thereof, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether (triclosan), 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,2′-methylenebis(6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), 3-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)phenol, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, 3-iodo-2-propynylbutyl carbamate, chlorhexidine, 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanilide (TTC), antibacterial odorants, thymol, thyme oil, eugenol, clove oil, menthol, mint oil, farnesol, phenoxyethanol, glyceryl monocaprate, glyceryl monocaprylate, glyceryl monolaurate (GML), diglyceryl monocaprate (DMC), N-alkylsalicylamides, for example n-octylsalicylamide or n-decylsalicylamide.

The inventive formulations may comprise the bactericidal or bacteriostatic active ingredients in amounts of 0.01 to 5% and preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

Perspiration-Absorbing Substances

Useful perspiration-absorbing substances include modified starches, for example Dry Flo Plus (from National Starch), silicates, talc and other substances of similar polymorphism, which appear suitable for absorption of perspiration. The inventive formulations may comprise the perspiration-absorbing substances in amounts of 0.1 to 30%, preferably 1 to 20% and especially 2 to 8% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

The inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations constitute light and stable cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations, which is the case especially when they further comprise at least one UV light protection filter.

The invention therefore provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least at least one UV light protection filter.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one UV light protection filter.

According to the invention, suitable UV light protection filters are room temperature liquid or crystalline organic substances (light protection filters) which are capable of absorbing ultraviolet rays and releasing the energy absorbed again in the form of longer-wave radiation, for example heat. UV filters may be oil-soluble or water-soluble. Examples of typical oil-soluble UV B filters or broad-spectrum UV A/B filters include:

-   -   3-benzylidenecamphor or 3-benzylidenenorcamphor (Mexoryl SDS 20)         and derivatives thereof, e.g. 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor as         described in EP 0693471 B1     -   3-(4′-trimethylammonium)benzylidenebornan-2-one methylsulfate         (Mexoryl SO)     -   3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethine)bis(7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-methanesulfonic         acid) and salts (Mexoryl SX)     -   3-(4′-sulfo)benzylidenebornan-2-one and salts (Mexoryl SL)     -   polymer of N-{(2 and         4)-[2-oxoborn-3-ylidene)-methyl}benzyl]acrylamide (Mexoryl SW)     -   2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(2-methyl-3-(1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)-disiloxanyl)propyl)phenol         (Mexoryl SL)     -   4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 2-ethylhexyl         4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, 2-octyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate and         amyl 4-(dimethyl-amino) benzoate;     -   esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl         4-methoxycinnamate, propyl 4-methoxycinnamate, isoamyl         4-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-phenylcinnamate         (octocrylene);     -   esters of salicylic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl salicylate,         4-isopropylbenzyl salicylate, homo-menthyl salicylate;     -   derivatives of benzophenone, preferably         2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,         2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-methylbenzophenone,         2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzo-phenone;     -   esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably di-2-ethylhexyl         4-methoxybenzmalonate;     -   triazine derivatives, for example         2,4,6-trianilino(p-carbo-2′-ethyl-1′-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine         and         2,4,6-tris[p-(2-ethylhexyloxy-carbonyl)anilino]-1,3,5-triazine         (Uvinul T 150), as described in EP 0818450 A1 or         bis(2-ethylhexyl)         4,4′-[(6-[4-((1,1-dimethylethyl)aminocarbonyl)-phenylamino]-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)diimino]-benzoate         (Uvasorb® HEB);     -   2,2-(methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol)         (Tinosorb M);     -   2,4-bis[4-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine         (Tinosorb S);     -   propane-1,3-diones, for example         1-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione;     -   ketotricyclo (5.2.1.0)decane derivatives, as described in EP         0694521 B1;     -   dimethicodiethyl benzalmalonates (Parsol SLX).

Useful water-soluble UV filters include:

-   -   2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and the alkali metal,         alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium         and glucammonium salts thereof;     -   2,2-((1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-benzimidazole-4,6-disulfonic acid,         monosodium salt) (Neo Heliopan AP);     -   sulfonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably         2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and its salts;     -   sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidenecamphor, for example         4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl)benzene-sulfonic acid and         2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-3-bornylidene)sulfonic acid and salts thereof.

Useful typical UV A filters are especially derivatives of benzoylmethane, for example 1-(4′-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione, 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol® 1789), 1-phenyl-3-(4′-isopropylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione, and enamine compounds, as described in DE 19712033 A1 (BASF), and also benzoic acid 2-[4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxy-benzoyl]hexyl ester (Uvinul® A plus).

The UV A and UV B filters can of course also be used in mixtures. Particularly favorable combinations consist of the derivatives of benzoylmethane, e.g. 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane (Parsol® 1789) and 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-phenylcinnamate (octocrylene) in combination with esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate and/or propyl 4-methoxycinnamate and/or isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate. Combinations of this type are advantageously combined with water-soluble filters, for example 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and glucammonium salts thereof.

Suitable UV light protection filters are especially the substances approved according to Annex VII of the Commission Directive (in the version Commission Directive 2005/9/EC of 28 Jan. 2005 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes VII thereof to technical progress), to which reference is hereby explicitly made.

In addition to the soluble substances mentioned, insoluble light protection pigments, specifically finely dispersed metal oxides and salts, are also useful for this purpose. Examples of suitable metal oxides are especially zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and additionally oxides of iron, of zirconium, of silicon, of manganese, of aluminum and of cerium, and mixtures thereof. The salts used may be silicates (talc), barium sulfate or zinc stearate. The oxides and salts are used in the form of the pigments for skincare and skin-protecting emulsions, and also for decorative cosmetics. The particles should have a mean diameter of less than 100 nm, preferably between 5 and 50 nm and especially between 15 and 30 nm. They may have a spherical shape, but it is also possible to use those particles which have an ellipsoidal shape or a shape which deviates in some other way from the spherical configuration. The pigments may also be present in surface-treated form, i.e. hydrophilized or hydrophobized. Typical examples thereof are coated titanium dioxides, for example T 805 titanium dioxide (Degussa) or Eusolex® T, Eusolex® T-2000, Eusolex®T-Aqua, Eusolex® AVO, Eusolex® T-ECO, Eusolex® T-OLEO and Eusolex® T-S (Merck). Typical examples are zinc oxides, for example Zinc Oxide neutral, Zinc Oxide NDM (Symrise) or Z-Cote® (BASF) or SUNZnO-AS and SUNZnO-NAS (Sunjun Chemical Co. Ltd.). Suitable hydrophobic coatings are in particular silicones and specifically trialkoxyoctylsilanes or simethicone. In sunscreen compositions, preference is given to using micropigments or nanopigments. Preference is given to using micronized zinc oxide. Further suitable UV light protection filters can be found in the review by P. Finkel in SÖFW Journal 122, 8/1996, pp. 543-548 and Parf. Kosm. 80th volume, no. 3/1999, p. 10 to 16.

In addition to the two aforementioned groups of primary light protection substances, it is also possible to use secondary light protection agents of the antioxidant type, which interrupt the photochemical reaction chain which is triggered when UV radiation penetrates into the skin. Typical examples thereof are amino acids (e.g. glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and derivatives thereof, imidazoles (e.g. urocanic acid) and derivatives thereof, peptides such as D,L-carnosine, D-carnosine, L-carnosine and derivatives thereof (e.g. anserine), carotenoids, carotenes (e.g. α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene) and derivatives thereof, chlorogenic acid and derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and derivatives thereof (e.g. dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and other thiols (e.g. thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl and lauryl, palmitoyl, oleyl, linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof), and salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts), and sulfoximine compounds (e.g. buthionine sulfoximines, homocysteine sulfoximine, buthionine sulfones, penta-, hexa-, heptathionine sulfoximine) in very low tolerated doses (e.g. pmol to mol/kg), also (metal) chelating agents (e.g. α-hydroxy fatty acids, palmitic acid, phytic acid, lactoferrin), α-hydroxy acids (e.g. citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acid, gallic acid, bile extracts, bilirubin, biliverdin, EDTA, EGTA and derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and derivatives thereof (e.g. gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and derivatives thereof, ubiquinone and ubiquinol and derivatives thereof, vitamin C and derivatives (e.g. ascorbyl palmitate, Mg ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl acetate), tocopherols and derivatives (e.g. vitamin E acetate), vitamin A and derivatives (vitamin A palmitate), and coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutinic acid and derivatives thereof, α-glycosylrutin, ferulic acid, furfurylideneglucitol, carnosine, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and derivatives thereof, mannose and derivatives thereof, superoxide dismutase, zinc and derivatives thereof (e.g. ZnO, ZnSO4), selenium and derivatives thereof (e.g. selenomethionine), stilbenes and derivatives thereof (e.g. stilbene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide) and the derivatives (salts, esters, ethers, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides and lipids), suitable in accordance with the invention, of these specified active ingredients.

The invention therefore provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least at least one UV light protection filter selected from the group consisting of 4-methylbenzylidenecamphor, benzophenone-3, butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, ethylhexyl triazone and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, 3-(4′-trimethylammonium)benzylidene-bornan-2-one methylsulfate, 3,3′-(1,4-phenylene-dimethine)bis(7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-methanesulfonic acid) and its salts, 3-(4′-sulfo)-benzylidenebornan-2-one and its salts, polymer of N-{(2 and 4)-[2-oxoborn-3-ylidene)methyl}benzyl]acrylamide, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(2-methyl-3-(1,3,3, 3-tetramethyl-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)disiloxanyl)-propyl)phenol, dimethicodiethyl benzalmalonate and mixtures thereof.

The invention therefore provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one UV light protection filter selected from the group consisting of 4-methylbenzylidenecamphor, benzophenone-3, butyl-methoxydibenzoylmethane, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, ethylhexyl triazone and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, 3-(4′-trimethylammonium)benzylidene-bornan-2-one methylsulfate, 3,3′-(1,4-phenylene-dimethine)bis(7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-methanesulfonic acid) and its salts, 3-(4′-sulfo)-benzylidenebornan-2-one and its salts, polymer of N-{(2 and 4)-[2-oxoborn-3-ylidene)methyl}benzyl]acrylamide, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(2-methyl-3-(1,3,3, 3-tetramethyl-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)disiloxanyl)-propyl)phenol, dimethicodiethyl benzalmalonate and mixtures thereof.

These UV light protection filters are commercially available, for example, under the following trade names:

NeoHeliopan®MBC (INCI: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor; manufacturer: Symrise); NeoHeliopan®BB (INCI: Benzophenone-3, manufacturer: Symrise); Parsol®1789 (INCI: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, manufacturer: Hoffmann-La Roche (Givaudan)); Tinosorb®S (INCI: Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine); Tinosorb®M (INCI: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutyl-phenol): manufacturer: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation; Uvasorb®HEB (INCI: Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, manufacturer: 3V Inc.), Uvinul®T 150 (INCI: Ethylhexyl Triazone, manufacturer: BASF AG); Uvinul® A plus (INCI: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate: manufacturer: BASF AG); Mexoryl® SO: 3-(4′-trimethylammonium)benzylidenebornan-2-one methylsulfate, INCI: Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate; Mexoryl®SX: 3,3′-(1,4-phenylenedimethine)bis(7,7-dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-methanesulfonic acid), CTFA: INCI Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid; Mexoryl® SL: 3-(4′-sulfo)benzylidenebornan-2-one, INCI Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid; Mexoryl®SW: polymer of N-{(2 and 4)-[2-oxoborn-3-ylidene)methyl}-benzyl]acrylamide, INCI Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor; Mexoryl®SL: 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methyl-6-(2-methyl-3-(1,3,3,3-tetramethyl-1-(trimethylsilyloxy)disiloxanyl)propyl)phenol; INCI: DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE; Parsol® SLX: dimethicodiethyl benzalmalonate, INCI Polysilicone-15.

The inventive formulations may comprise the UV light protection filters in amounts of 0.5 to 30% by weight, preferably 2.5 to 20% by weight, more preferably 5-15% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least at least one self-tanning agent.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one self-tanning agent.

Self-tanning agents are understood to mean substances which cause browning of the skin. Examples include and alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes, which react with the amino acids in the skin in the manner of a Maillard reaction to give colored compounds. Useful active ingredients for self-tanning agents also include natural or synthetic ketols or aldols. Examples of suitable active ingredients include dihydroxyacetone, erythrulose, glycerolaldehyde, alloxan, hydroxymethyl-glyoxal, gamma-dialdehyde, 6-aldo-D-fructose, ninhydrin and meso-tartaraldehyde. Suitable self-tanning agents are especially dihydroxyacetone and/or erythrulose.

Mixtures of the abovementioned active ingredients with one another or with muconaldehyde and/or naphthoquinones, for example 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone) and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, have been found to be particularly advantageous.

The inventive compositions comprise the self-tanning agents typically in concentrations of 1 to 10% and especially of 2 to 5% by weight-based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least at least one self-tanning agent and at least one UV light protection filter.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one UV light protection filter and at least one self-tanning agent.

The inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations may be present, for example, as O/W or W/O care emulsions, sunscreen formulations, antiperspirant/deodorant concepts, formulations for decorative cosmetics, oily care formulations, impregnation liquids for substrates, for example paper and nonwoven products. Examples include wet wipes, tissues, diapers or hygiene products.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures and the inventive cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations are especially also suitable for light, sprayable applications and/or as constituents of care emulsions for tissues, papers, wipes, sponges (e.g. polyurethane sponges), plasters in the baby hygiene sector, babycare, skincare, sun protection, aftersun treatment, insect repellency, cleansing, face cleansing and antiperspirant/deodorant applications. They can be applied to tissues, papers, wipes, nonwoven products, sponges, puffs, plasters and bandages which find use in the cleansing, hygiene and/or care sectors (wet wipes for baby hygiene and babycare, cleansing wipes, face cleansing wipes, skincare wipes, care wipes with active ingredients to counteract skin aging, wipes with sunscreen formulations and insect repellents, and wipes for decorative cosmetics or for aftersun treatment, toilet wet wipes, antiperspirant wipes, diapers, tissues, wet wipes, hygiene products, self-tanning wipes, toilet paper, refreshing wipes, aftershave wipes). They can also be used, inter alia, in formulations for hair care, hair cleaning or hair coloring. The use of the inventive hydrocarbon mixtures positively influences the sensory performance on application.

The inventive hydrocarbon mixtures are suitable especially as constituents of decorative cosmetics formulations, for example lipsticks, eye makeup, for example eyeshadow, mascara, eye pencils, kohl, nail varnish, etc., and makeup formulations.

The invention therefore provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least at least one pigment and/or dye.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one pigment and/or dye.

The term pigment encompasses particles of any kind which are white or colored, organic or inorganic, are insoluble in the formulations, and serve the purpose of coloring the formulation.

In a preferred embodiment, inorganic pigments are used, particular preference being given to metal oxides.

Examples of inorganic pigments include: titanium dioxide, optionally surface-coated, zirconium or cerium oxides, and zinc, iron (black, yellow or red) and chromium oxides, manganese violet, ultramarine blue, chrome hydrates and iron(III) blue, metal powders such as aluminum powder or copper powder.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pigment is selected from the inorganic pigments, preferably from the metal oxides. In a preferred embodiment, the pigment is selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide and mixtures thereof.

The pigments may be present either individually or in mixtures.

Preference is given in the context of the present invention to pigment mixtures composed of white pigments (e.g. kaolin, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) and inorganic color pigments (e.g. iron oxide pigments, chromium oxides), and the pigments may be present in coated or uncoated form. Among the color pigments, iron oxides are particularly preferred.

Advantageously in the context of the present invention, the pigment(s) may also be selected from the group of the effect pigments which impart to the cosmetic formulation, in addition to the pure color, an additional property—for example angular dependence of the color (flop), luster (not surface luster) or texture. Such effect pigments are used in accordance with the invention advantageously in addition to one or more white and/or color pigments.

The most important group of the effect pigments is that of the luster pigments, which, according to DIN 55944: 2003-11, include the metal effect pigments and the pearlescent pigments. Some specific effect pigments cannot be assigned to these two groups, for example graphite platelets, iron oxide platelets and micronized titanium dioxide, the latter not giving a luster effect, but rather an angle-dependent light-scattering effect. The luster pigments to DIN 55943: 2001-10 are predominantly effect pigment platelets. Aligned in parallel, luster pigments exhibit a characteristic luster. The visual effect of luster pigments is based on the directed reflection on metallic particles (metal effect pigments), on transparent particles with a high refractive index (pearlescent pigments) or on the phenomenon of interference (interference pigments) (DIN 55944: 2003-11).

Examples of commercial effect pigments preferred in accordance with the invention are: Timiron and #174; from Merck, Iriodin and #174; from Merck (pearlescent and color luster pigments for decorative industrial applications), Xirallic and #174; from Merck (intense-color crystal effect pigments).

In addition, the inventive formulations may advantageously also comprise organic color pigments, i.e. organic dyes which are virtually insoluble in the formulation. According to DIN 55944: 1990-04, organic pigments can be divided according to chemical aspects into azo pigments and polycyclic pigments, and according to color aspects into chromatic or black pigments. Organic white pigments are of no practical significance.

In the context of the present invention, the pigments can advantageously also be employed in the form of commercially available oily or aqueous predispersions. The inventive formulations comprise typically 0.1 to 40% by weight of pigments—based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation. It is also advantageous in the context of the present invention when the inventive formulation comprises one or more dyes.

The dyes may be either of synthetic or natural origin. A list of suitable dyes can be found in EP 1 371 359 A2, page 8, lines 25-57, page 9 and page 10, and also page 11, lines 1 to 54, to which reference is hereby explicitly made.

The inventive formulations comprise typically 0.01 to 5% and preferably 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of dyes—based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation. The inventive formulations typically comprise a total amount of dyes and pigments in the range from 0.01 to 30% by weight, especially 0.1 to 15% by weight, preferably 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation.

Suitable dyes and pigments are especially the dyes and pigments approved according to Annex IV of the Commission Directive (in the version: Commission Directive 2007/22/EC of 17 Apr. 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes IV and VI thereto to technical progress), to which reference is hereby explicitly made.

The cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations may be formulations for bodycare, for example a body milk, creams, lotions, sprayable emulsions, products for eliminating body odor, etc. The hydrocarbon mixtures can also be used in surfactant-containing formulations, for example shower and bath gels, shampoos and care rinses. According to the end application, the cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprise a series of further assistants and additives, for example surfactants, further oil bodies, emulsifiers, pearlescent waxes, bodying agents, thickeners, superfatting agents, stabilizers, polymers, fats, waxes, lecithins, phospholipids, biogenic active ingredients, antidandruff agents, film formers, swelling agents, insect repellents, self-tanning agents, tyrosinase inhibitors (depigmenting agents), hydrotropes, solubilizers, preservatives, perfume oils, dyes, etc., which are listed below by way of example.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one emulsifier and/or a surfactant and/or a wax component and/or a polymer and/or a further oil body.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one emulsifier and/or a surfactant and/or a wax component and/or a polymer and/or a further oil body.

Emulsifier

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulations comprise at least one emulsifier.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one emulsifier.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of hydrocarbons, of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one emulsifier.

The inventive compositions comprise the emulsifier(s) typically in an amount of 0 to 40% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight and especially 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Every emulsifier is assigned a so-called HLB value (a dimensionless number between 0 and 20) which specifies whether there is a preference for water or oil solubility. Numbers below 9 indicate preferentially oil-soluble, hydrophobic emulsifiers, numbers above 11 water-soluble, hydrophilic emulsifiers.

The HLB value says something about the equilibrium of the size and strength of the hydrophilic and lipophilic groups of an emulsifier.

The HLB value of an emulsifier can also be calculated from increments, and the HLB increments for the different hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups from which a molecule is composed can be found in tabular works (e.g. H.P. Fiedler, Lexikon der Hilfsstoffe für Pharmazie, Kosmetik and angrenzende Gebiete [Lexicon of the Excipients for Pharmacy, Cosmetics and Related Fields], Editio Cantor Verlag, Aulendorf, 4th Ed. 1996) or manufacturer data. The solubility of the emulsifier in the two phases effectively determines the emulsion type. When the emulsifier has better solubility in water, an O/W emulsion is obtained. When the emulsifier, in contrast, has better solubility in the oil phase, a W/O emulsion arises under otherwise identical production conditions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulation comprises more than one emulsifier. Depending on the other components, the person skilled in the art uses customary emulsifier systems (for example emulsifier and coemulsifier).

Nonionic Emulsifiers

The group of nonionic emulsifiers includes, for example:

-   (1) Addition products of 2 to 50 mol of ethylene oxide and/or 1 to     20 mol of propylene oxide onto linear fatty alcohols having 8 to 40     carbon atoms, onto fatty acids having 12 to 40 carbon atoms and onto     alkylphenols having 8 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. -   (2) C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of 1     to 50 mol of ethylene oxide onto glycerol. -   (3) Sorbitan mono- and diesters of saturated and unsaturated fatty     acids having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and ethylene oxide addition     products thereof. -   (4) Alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in     the alkyl radical and ethoxylated analogs thereof. -   (5) Addition products of 7 to 60 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor     oil and/or hydrogenated castor oil. -   (6) Polyol and especially polyglyceryl esters, for example polyol     poly-12-hydroxystearates, polyglyceryl polyricinoleate, polyglyceryl     diiso-stearate or polyglyceryl dimerate. Likewise suitable are     mixtures of compounds of two or more of these substance classes. -   (7) Addition products of 2 to 15 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor     oil and/or hydrogenated castor oil. -   (8) Partial esters based on linear, branched, unsaturated or     saturated C₆-C₂₂-fatty acids, ricinoleic acid and 12-hydroxystearic     acid and polyglycerol, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, sugar     alcohols (e.g. sorbitol), alkyl glucosides (e.g. methyl glucoside,     butyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside) and polyglucosides (e.g.     cellulose), or mixed esters, for example glyceryl stearate citrate     and glyceryl stearate lactate. -   (9) Polysiloxane-polyalkyl-polyether copolymers and corresponding     derivatives. -   (10) Mixed esters of pentaerythritol, fatty acids, citric acid and     fatty alcohol and/or mixed esters of fatty acids having 6 to 22     carbon atoms, methylglucose and polyols, preferably glycerol or     polyglycerol.

The addition products of ethylene oxide and/or of propylene oxide onto fatty alcohols, fatty acids, alkylphenols, glyceryl mono- and diesters and also sorbitan mono- and diesters of fatty acids and onto castor oil are known, commercially available products. These are homolog mixtures whose mean degree of alkoxylation corresponds to the ratio of the amounts of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide and substrate with which the addition reaction is carried out. Depending on the degree of ethoxylation, they are W/O or o/W emulsifiers. C_(12/18) fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of ethylene oxide onto glycerol are known as refatting agents for cosmetic formulations.

Mild emulsifiers which are particularly suitable in accordance with the invention are polyol poly-12-hydroxystearates and mixtures thereof, which are sold, for example, under the “Dehymuls® PGPH” (W/O emulsifier) or “Eumulgin® VL 75” (blend with Lauryl Glucosides in a weight ratio of 1:1, O/W emulsifier) or Dehymuls® SBL (W/O emulsifier) brands by Cognis Deutschland GmbH. In this connection, reference may be made especially to European patent EP 766 661 B1. The polyol component of these emulsifiers may derive from substances which have at least two, preferably 3 to 12 and especially 3 to 8 hydroxyl groups and 2 to 12 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred emulsifiers are, for example, Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol (e.g. Abil EM-90), Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate (e.g. Dehymuls PGPH), Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (e.g. Lameform TGI), Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate (e.g. Isolan GI 34), Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate (e.g. Isolan GO 33), Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (e.g. Isolan PDI), Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate (e.g. Tego Care 450), Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax (e.g. Cera Bellina), Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate (e.g. Polyglycerol Caprate T2010/90), Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether (e.g. Chimexane NL), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate (e.g. Cremophor GS 32) and Polyglyceryl Polyricinoleate (e.g. Admul WOL 1403), Glyceryl Oleate (e.g. Monomuls 90-O 18), Alkyl Glucoside (e.g. Plantacare 1200, Emulgade PL 68/50, Montanov 68, Tego Care CG 90, Tego Glucosid L 55), Methyl Glucose Isostearate (e.g. Tego Care IS), Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate (Tego Care PS), Sodium Cocoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (e.g. Gluadin WK), Potassium Cetyl Phosphate (e.g. Amphisol K, Crodafos CKP), Sodium Alkylsulfate (e.g. Lanette E), Sucrose Ester (e.g. Crodesta F-10, F-20, F-50, F-70, F-110, F-160, SL-40, Emulgade® Sucro), ethoxylated and/or propoxylated fatty alcohols, fatty acids, castor oils and hydrogenated castor oils (e.g. Eumulgin B2, B2, B3, L, HRE 40, HRE 60, RO 40, Cremophor HRE 40, HRE 60, L, WO 7, Dehymuls HRE 7, Arlacel 989), PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate (e.g. Arlacel P 135, Dehymuls LE), sorbitan esters, sorbitan esters ethoxylated and/or propoxylated, and mixtures thereof. A particularly effective mixture consists of Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate and Lauryl Glucoside and glycerol (e.g. Eumulgin VL 75). Also suitable are Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxy-stearate/Sebacate (Isolan® GPS), Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (e.g. Isolan PDI), alkali metal acylglutamates (e.g. Eumulgin SG).

Suitable lipophilic W/O emulsifiers are in principle emulsifiers with an HLB value of 1 to 8, which are summarized in numerous tabular works and are known to the person skilled in the art. Some of these emulsifiers are listed, for example, in Kirk-Othmer, “Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology”, 3rd edition, 1979, volume 8, page 913. For ethoxylated products, the HLB value can also be calculated according to the following formula: HLB=(100-L):5, where L is the weight fraction of the lipophilic groups, i.e. of the fatty alkyl or fatty acyl groups in percent by weight, in the ethylene oxide adducts.

Particularly advantageous from the group of W/O emulsifiers are partial esters of polyols, especially of C₄-C₆-polyols, for example partial esters of pentaerythritol or sugar esters, e.g. sucrose distearate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan sesquiisostearate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan triisostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan monoerucate, sorbitan sesquierucate, sorbitan dierucate, sorbitan trierucate, sorbitan monoricinoleate, sorbitan sesquiricinoleate, sorbitan diricinoleate, sorbitan triricinoleate, sorbitan monohydroxystearate, sorbitan sesquihydroxystearate, sorbitan dihydroxystearate, sorbitan trihydroxy-stearate, sorbitan monotartrate, sorbitan sesquitartrate, sorbitan ditartrate, sorbitan tritartrate, sorbitan monocitrate, sorbitan sesquicitrate, sorbitan dicitrate, sorbitan tricitrate, sorbitan monomaleate, sorbitan sesquimaleate, sorbitan dimaleate, sorbitan trimaleate and technical-grade mixtures thereof. Also suitable as emulsifiers are addition products of 1 to 30 and preferably 5 to 10 mol of ethylene oxide onto the specified sorbitan esters.

Depending on the formulation, it may be advantageous to additionally use at least one emulsifier from the group of nonionic O/W emulsifiers (HLB value: 8-18) and/or solubilizers. These are, for example, the ethylene oxide adducts already mentioned in the introduction and having a correspondingly high degree of ethoxylation, e.g. 10-20 ethylene oxide units for O/W emulsifiers and 20-40 ethylene oxide units for solubilizers. According to the invention, Ceteareth-12 and PEG-20 Stearate are particularly advantageous as O/W emulsifiers. Preferentially suitable solubilizers are Eumulgin® HRE (INCI: PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil), Eumulgin® HRE 60 (INCI: PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil), Eumulgin® L (INCI: PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether), and Eumulgin® SML 20 (INCI: Polysorbate-20).

Nonionic emulsifiers from the group of alkyl oligoglycosides are particularly skin-friendly and therefore preferentially suitable as O/W emulsifiers. C₈-C₂₂-alkyl mono- and oligoglycosides, their preparation and their use are known from the prior art. Their preparation takes place especially by reacting glucose or oligosaccharides with primary alcohols having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. As regards the glycoside radical, either monoglycosides, in which a cyclic sugar radical is glycosidically bonded to the fatty alcohol, or oligomeric glycosides with a degree of oligomerization up to preferably about 8 are suitable. The degree of oligomerization here is a statistical average based on a homolog distribution customary for such technical-grade products. Products which are available under the name Plantacare® comprise a glucosidically bonded C₈-C₁₆-alkyl group onto an oligoglucoside radical whose average degree of oligomerization is 1 to 2. The acylglucamides derived from glucamine are also suitable as nonionic emulsifiers. According to the invention, preference is given to a product which is sold under the name Emulgade® PL 68/50 by Cognis Deutschland GmbH and is a 1:1 mixture of alkyl polyglucosides and fatty alcohols. According to the invention, it is also advantageously possible to use a mixture of Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, glycerol and water, which is commercially available under the name Eumulgin® VL 75.

Also suitable as emulsifiers are substances such as lecithins and phospholipids. Examples of natural lecithins which may be mentioned are the cephalins, which are also referred to as phosphatidic acids and are derivatives of 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoric acids. By contrast, phospholipids are usually understood to mean mono- and preferably diesters of phosphoric acid with glycerol (glycerol phosphates), which are generally included in the fats. In addition, sphingosines and sphingolipids are also suitable. The emulsifiers present may, for example, be silicone emulsifiers. These may be selected, for example, from the group of alkylmethicone copolyols and/or alkyldimethicone copolyols, especially from the group of compounds which are characterized by the following chemical structure:

in which X and Y are each independently selected from the group of H (hydrogen) and the branched and unbranched alkyl groups, acyl groups and alkoxy groups having 1-24 carbon atoms, p is 0-200, q is 1-40, and r is 1-100.

One example of silicone emulsifiers to be used particularly advantageously within the context of the present invention is that of dimethicone copolyols, which are sold by Evonik Goldschmidt under the trade names AXIL® B 8842, ABIL® B 8843, ABIL® B 8847, ABIL® B 8851, ABIL® B 8852, ABIL® B 8863, ABIL® B 8873 and ABIL® B 88183.

A further example of interface-active substances to be used particularly advantageously within the context of the present invention is that of cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone (cetyl dimethicone copolyol), which is sold by Evonik Goldschmidt under the trade name ABIL® EM 90.

A further example of interface-active substances to be used particularly advantageously within the context of the present invention is that of cyclomethicone dimethicone copolyol, which is sold by Evonik Goldschmidt under the trade name ABIL® EM 97 and ABIL® WE 09.

In addition, the emulsifier lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone (laurylmethicone copolyol) has been found to be very particularly advantageous and is available under the trade name Dow Corning® 5200 Formulation Aid from Dow Corning Ltd.

A further advantageous silicone emulsifier is octyl dimethicone ethoxy glucoside from Wacker.

For an inventive water-in-silicone oil emulsion, all known emulsifiers used for this type of emulsion can be used. Water-in-silicone emulsifiers which are particularly preferred in accordance with the invention are cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone and lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone [e.g. ABIL® EM 90 (Evonik Goldschmidt), DC5200 Formulation Aid (Dow Corning)] and any desired mixtures of the two emulsifiers.

Surfactants

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulations comprise at least one surfactant.

Surfactants are amphiphilic substances which can dissolve organic, nonpolar substances in water. They cause, as a result of their specific molecular structure with at least one hydrophilic and a hydrophobic molecular moiety, a lowering of the surface tension of the water, the wetting of the skin, the facilitation of soil removal and dissolution, easy rinseoff and—if desired—foam regulation.

Surfactants are typically understood to mean surface-active substances which have an HLB value of greater than 20.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one surfactant.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one surfactant.

The surface-active substances present may be anionic, nonionic, cationic and/or amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. In surfactant-containing cosmetic formulations, for example shower gels, foam baths, shampoos, etc., at least one anionic surfactant is preferably present.

The inventive compositions comprise the surfactant(s) typically in an amount of 0 to 40% by weight, preferably 0.05 to 30% by weight, especially 0.05 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight and especially 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Typical examples of nonionic surfactants are fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, fatty acid polyglycol esters, fatty acid amide polyglycol ethers, fatty amine polyglycol ethers, alkoxylated triglycerides, mixed ethers and mixed formals, optionally partially oxidized alk(en)yl oligoglycosides and glucuronic acid derivatives, fatty acid N-alkylglucamides, protein hydrolyzates (especially wheat-based vegetable products), polyol fatty acid esters, sugar esters, sorbitan esters, polysorbates and amine oxides. If the nonionic surfactants contain polyglycol ether chains, they may have a conventional homolog distribution, but preferably have a narrow homolog distribution.

Zwitterionic surfactants refer to those surface-active compounds which bear at least one quaternary ammonium group and at least one —COOO⁽⁻⁾ or —SO₃ ⁽⁻⁾ group in the molecule. Particularly suitable zwitterionic surfactants are the betaines, such as the N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, for example cocoalkyl dimethylammonium glycinate, N-acylaminopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, for example cocoacylamino-propyldimethylammonium glycinate, and 2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazoline having in each case 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or acyl group, and also cocoacylaminoethyl hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl glycinate. A preferred zwitterionic surfactant is the fatty acid amide derivative known under the INCI name Cocamidopropyl Betaine.

Likewise suitable, especially as cosurfactants, are ampholytic surfactants. Ampholytic surfactants are understood to mean those surface-active compounds which, apart from a C₈-C₁₈-alkyl or acyl group in the molecule, contain at least one free amino group and at least one —COOH or —SO₃H group and are capable of forming internal salts. Examples of suitable ampholytic surfactants are N-alkylglycines, N-alkylpropionic acids, N-alkylaminobutyric acids, N-alkylimino-dipropionic acids, N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkylamidopropyl-glycines, N-alkyltaurines, N-alkylsarcosines, 2-alkyl-aminopropionic acids and alkylaminoacetic acids having in each case about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. Particularly preferred ampholytic surfactants are N-cocoalkylaminopropionate, cocoacylaminoethyl-aminopropionate and C₁₂₋₁₈-acylsarcosine.

Typical examples of amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are alkylbetaines, alkylamidobetaines, aminopropionates, aminoglycinates, imidazolinium betaines and sulfobetaines. The specified surfactants are exclusively known compounds. With regard to the structure and preparation of these substances, reference may be made to relevant review works in this field. Typical examples of particularly suitable mild, i.e. particularly skin-friendly, surfactants are fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, mono- and/or dialkyl sulfosuccinates, fatty acid isethionates, fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, fatty acid glutamates, α-olefinsulfonates, ether carboxylic acids, alkyl oligoglucosides and/or mixtures thereof with alkyl oligoglucoside carboxylates, fatty acid glucamides, alkylamidobetaines, amphoacetals and/or protein fatty acid condensates, the latter preferably based on wheat proteins or salts thereof.

Anionic surfactants are characterized by a water-solubilizing, anionic group, for example a carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate or phosphate group and a lipophilic radical. Skin-compatible anionic surfactants are known to the person skilled in the art in a large number from relevant handbooks and are commercially available. These are especially alkyl sulfates in the form of their alkali metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium salts, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl isethionates, acyl sarcosinates, acyltaurines with linear alkyl or acyl groups having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and also sulfosuccinates and acyl glutamates in the form of their alkali metal or ammonium salts.

Typical examples of anionic surfactants are soaps, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkanesulfonates, olefin-sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, glycerol ether sulfonates, α-methyl ester sulfonates, sulfo fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, glycerol ether sulfates, fatty acid ether sulfates, hydroxy mixed ether sulfates, monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide (ether) sulfates, mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinates, mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinamates, sulfotriglycerides, amide soaps, ethercarboxylic acids and salts thereof, fatty acid isethionates, fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, N-acylamino acids, for example acyl lactylates, acyl tartrates, acyl glutamates and acyl aspartates, alkyl oligoglucoside sulfates, protein fatty acid condensates (especially vegetable products based on wheat) and alkyl (ether) phosphates. If the anionic surfactants comprise polyglycol ether chains, these may have a conventional homolog distribution, but preferably have a narrow homolog distribution.

Cationic surfactants which can be used are especially quaternary ammonium compounds. Preference is given to ammonium halides, especially chlorides and bromides, such as alkyltrimethylammonium chlorides, dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides and trialkylmethyl-ammonium chlorides, e.g. cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, distearyl-dimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylammonium chloride, lauryldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and tricetylmethylammonium chloride. In addition, the very readily biodegradable quaternary ester compounds, for example the dialkylammonium methosulfates and methylhydroxyalkyldialkyloxyalkylammonium methosulfates sold under the trade name Stepantex® and the corresponding products of the Dehyquart® series can also be used as cationic surfactants. The term “ester quats” are generally understood to mean quaternized fatty acid triethanolamine ester salts. They can impart an exceptional soft feel to the preparations according to the invention. These are known substances which are prepared by the relevant methods of organic chemistry. Further cationic surfactants which can be used in accordance with the invention are the quaternized protein hydrolyzates.

Wax Component

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulations comprise at least one wax component.

The invention relates to cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one wax component.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one wax component.

The inventive compositions comprise the wax component(s) typically in an amount of 0 to 40% by weight, especially of 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight and especially 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

The term “wax” is typically understood to mean all natural or synthetic substances and substance mixtures having the following properties: they are of solid to brittle and hard consistency, coarse to finely crystalline, transparent to cloudy and melt above 30° C. without decomposition. They are low in viscosity even a little above the melting point and do not string, and exhibit a strongly temperature-dependent consistency and solubility. According to the invention, it is possible to use a wax component or a mixture of wax components which melt at 30° C. or higher.

The waxes used in accordance with the invention may also be fats and fat-like substances with waxy consistency, provided they have the required melting point. These include, inter alia, fats (triglycerides), mono- and diglycerides, natural and synthetic waxes, fatty and wax alcohols, fatty acids, esters of fatty alcohols and fatty acids and also fatty acid amides or any desired mixtures of these substances.

Fats are understood to mean triacylglycerols, i.e. the triple esters of fatty acids with glycerol. They preferably comprise saturated, unbranched and unsubstituted fatty acid radicals. They may also be mixed esters, i.e. triple esters of glycerol with different fatty acids. According to the invention, it is possible to use hydrogenated fats and oils, which are obtained by partial hydrogenation and are particularly suitable as consistency regulators. Vegetable hydrogenated fats and oils are preferred, e.g. hydrogenated castor oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, colza oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, linseed oil, almond oil, corn oil, olive oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter and coconut fat.

Suitable examples include the triple esters of glycerol with C12-C60-fatty acids and especially C12-C36-fatty acids. These include hydrogenated castor oil, a triple ester of glycerol and a hydroxystearic acid, which is commercially available, for example, under the Cutina HR name. Glyceryl tristearate, glyceryl tribehenate (e.g. Syncrowax HRC), glyceryl tripalmitate or the triglyceride mixtures known under the Syncrowax HGLC name are likewise suitable, with the proviso that the melting point of the wax component or of the mixture is 30° C. or higher.

According to the invention, usable wax components are especially mono- and diglycerides and mixtures of these partial glycerides. Glyceride mixtures which can be used in accordance with the invention include the Novata AB and Novata B (mixture of C12-C18-mono-, di- and triglycerides) and Cutina MD or Cutina GMS (glyceryl stearate) products sold by Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG.

Fatty alcohols which can be used in accordance with the invention as the wax component include the C12-050-fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohols can be obtained from natural fats, oils and waxes, for example myristyl alcohol, 1-pentadecanol, cetyl alcohol, 1-heptadecanol, stearyl alcohol, 1-nonadecanol, arachidyl alcohol, 1-heneicosanol, behenyl alcohol, brassidyl alcohol, lignoceryl alcohol, ceryl alcohol or myricyl alcohol. Preference is given in accordance with the invention to saturated unbranched fatty alcohols. However, it is also possible in accordance with the invention to use unsaturated, branched or unbranched fatty alcohols as the wax component, provided they have the required melting point. It is also possible in accordance with the invention to use fatty alcohol cuts, as produced in the reduction of naturally occurring fats and oils, for example bovine tallow, peanut oil, colza oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm kernel oil, linseed oil, castor oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter and coconut fat. However, it is also possible to use synthetic alcohols, e.g. the linear, even-numbered fatty alcohols from the Ziegler synthesis (alfols) or the partially branched alcohols from the oxo process (dobanols). Particular preference is given in accordance with the invention to C14-C22-fatty alcohols, which are sold, for example, by Cognis Deutschland GmbH under the Lanette 18 (C18-alcohol), Lanette 16 (C16-alcohol), Lanette 14 (C14-alcohol), Lanette O (C16/C18-alcohol) and Lanette 22 (C18/C22-alcohol) names. Fatty alcohols impart a drier skinfeel to the compositions than triglycerides and are therefore preferred over the latter.

The wax components used may also be C14-C40-fatty acids or mixtures thereof. These include, for example, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, nonadecanoic acid, arachic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid, melissic acid, erucic acid and elaeostearic acid, and also substituted fatty acids, for example 12-hydroxystearic acid, and the amides or monoethanolamides of the fatty acids, this list being illustrative and nonlimiting in character.

It is possible in accordance with the invention to use, for example, natural vegetable waxes, such as candelilla wax, carnauba wax, japan wax, esparto grass wax, cork wax, guaruma wax, rice germ wax, sugarcane wax, ouricury wax, montan wax, sunflower wax, fruit waxes such as orange waxes, lemon waxes, grapefruit wax, bayberry wax, and animal waxes, for example beeswax, shellac wax, spermaceti, wool wax and uropygial grease. In the context of the invention, it may be advantageous to use hydrogenated or hardened waxes. The natural waxes which can be used in accordance with the invention also include mineral waxes, for example ceresin and ozokerite or the petrochemical waxes, for example petrolatum, paraffin waxes and microwaxes. Usable wax components also include chemically modified waxes, especially the hard waxes, for example montan ester waxes, sasol waxes and hydrogenated jojoba waxes. Synthetic waxes which can be used in accordance with the invention include, for example, wax-like polyalkylene waxes and polyethylene glycol waxes. Vegetable waxes are preferred in accordance with the invention.

The wax component can likewise be selected from the group of the wax esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or unbranched alkanecarboxylic acids and saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or unbranched alcohols, from the group of esters of aromatic carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids (e.g. 12-hydroxystearic acid) and saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or unbranched alcohols, and also from the group of lactides of long-chain hydroxycarboxylic acids. Examples of such esters are the C16-C40-alkyl stearates, C20-C40-alkyl stearates (e.g. Kesterwachs K82H), C20-C40-dialkyl esters of dimeric acids, C18-C38-alkylhydroxystearoyl stearates or C20-C40-alkyl erucates. It is also possible to use C30-050-alkylbeeswax, tristearyl citrate, triisostearyl citrate, stearyl heptanoate, stearyl octanoate, trilauryl citrate, ethylene glycol dipalmitate, ethylene glycol distearate, ethylene glycol di(12-hydroxystearate), stearyl stearate, palmityl stearate, stearyl behenate, cetyl ester, cetearyl behenate and behenyl behenate. Fatty acid partial glycerides, i.e. technical-grade mono- and/or diesters of glycerol with fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example glycerol mono/dilaurate, -palmitate, -myristate or -stearate, are also useful for this purpose.

Suitable waxes are additionally pearlescent waxes. Useful pearlescent waxes, especially for use in surface-active formulations, are, for example: alkylene glycol esters, especially ethylene glycol distearate; fatty acid alkanolamides, especially coconut fatty acid diethanolamide; partial glycerides, especially stearic acid monoglyceride; esters of polybasic, optionally hydroxy-substituted carboxylic acids with fatty alcohols having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, especially long-chain esters of tartaric acid; fatty substances, for example fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty aldehydes, fatty ethers and fatty carbonates, which have a total of at least 24 carbon atoms, especially laurone and distearyl ethers; fatty acids such as stearic acid, hydroxystearic acid or behenic acid, ring-opening products of olefin epoxides having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with fatty alcohols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms and/or polyols having 2 to 15 carbon atoms and 2 to 10 hydroxyl groups, and mixtures thereof.

Polymers

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulations comprise at least one polymer.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one polymer.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one polymer.

The inventive compositions comprise the polymer(s) typically in an amount of 0 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight and especially 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Suitable cationic polymers are, for example, cationic cellulose derivatives, for example a quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose, which is available under the Polymer JR 400° name from Amerchol, cationic starch, copolymers of diallylammonium salts and acrylamides, quaternized vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole polymers, for example Luviquat® (BASF), condensation products of polyglycols and amines, quaternized collagen polypeptides, for example lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed collagen (Lamequat® L/Grünau), quaternized wheat polypeptides, polyethyleneimine, cationic silicone polymers, for example amidomethicones, copolymers of adipic acid and dimethylaminohydroxy-propyldiethylenetriamine (Cartaretine/Sandoz), copolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (Merquat® 550/Chemviron), polyaminopolyamides, cationic chitin derivatives for example quaternized chitosan, optionally in microcrystalline distribution, condensation products of dihaloalkylene, for example dibromobutane with bisdialkylamines, for example bisdimethylamino-1,3-propane, cationic guar gum, for example Jaguar® CBS, Jaguar® C-17, Jaguar® C-16 from Celanese, quaternized ammonium salt polymers, for example Mirapol® A-15, Mirapol® AD-1, Mirapol® AZ-1 from Miranol.

Useful anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and nonionic polymers are, for example, vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acrylate copolymers, vinyl acetate/butyl maleate/isobornyl acrylate copolymers, methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers and esters thereof, uncrosslinked polyacrylic acids and polyacrylic acids crosslinked with polyols, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/acrylate copolymers, octylacrylamide/methyl methacrylate/tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate/2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrol-idone, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers, vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/vinyl-caprolactam terpolymers and optionally derivatized cellulose ethers and silicones.

Likewise suitable polymers are polysaccharides, in particular xanthan gum, guar guar, agar agar, alginates and tyloses and also, for example, Aerosil grades (hydrophilic silicas), carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose, poly-vinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and bentonites, for example Bentone® Gel VS-5PC (Rheox).

Likewise suitable are quaternary polymers, for example with the INCI name Polyquaternium-37, which conform to the following general formula:

Alternatively, it is also possible to use other dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylates and their ammonium salts obtainable by alkylation or protonation, or dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides and their ammonium salts obtainable by alkylation or protonation. Particular preference is given to polymers comprising MAPTAC, APTAC, MADAME, ADAME, DMAEMA and TMAEMAC. Moreover, it is also possible to use copolymers with anionic, further cationic or uncharged monomers in accordance with the invention, in particular those which, as well as the specified alkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylate or alkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide monomers, additionally comprise (meth)acrylic acid and/or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and/or acrylamide and/or vinylpyrrolidone and/or alkyl (meth)-acrylates.

By way of example, mention may be made of those polymers with the INCI name Polyquaternium-11, Polyquaternium-13, Polyquaternium-14, Polyquaternium-15, Polyquaternium-28, Polyquaternium-32, Polyquaternium-43, Polyquaternium-47.

Oil Bodies

In one embodiment of the invention, the inventive formulations comprise at least one oil body. Typically, the inventive formulations comprise the hydrocarbon mixture as the oil body. In the embodiment specified here as preferred, the formulations thus comprise an oil body other than the inventive hydrocarbon mixture, also referred to as “further oil body”.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one (further) oil body.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one (further) oil body.

The oil bodies (inventive hydrocarbon mixture plus further oil bodies) are typically present in a total amount of 0.1-90%, especially 0.1-80%, especially 0.5 to 70%, preferably 1 to 60%, especially 1 to 50%, especially 1 to 40%, preferably 5-25% and especially 5-15% by weight. The further oil bodies are typically present in an amount of 0.1 to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

Suitable further oil bodies are, for example, Guerbet alcohols based on fatty alcohols having 6 to 18, preferably 8 to 10, carbon atoms, and also further additional esters such as myristyl myristate, myristyl palmitate, myristyl stearate, myristyl isostearate, myristyl oleate, myristyl behenate, myristyl erucate, cetyl myristate, cetyl palmitate, cetyl stearate, cetyl isostearate, cetyl oleate, cetyl behenate, cetyl erucate, stearyl myristate, stearyl palmitate, stearyl stearate, stearyl isostearate, stearyl oleate, stearyl behenate, stearyl erucate, isostearyl myristate, isostearyl palmitate, isostearyl stearate, isostearyl isostearate, isostearyl oleate, isostearyl behenate, isostearyl oleate, oleyl myristate, oleyl palmitate, oleyl stearate, oleyl isostearate, oleyl oleate, oleyl behenate, oleyl erucate, behenyl myristate, behenyl palmitate, behenyl stearate, behenyl isostearate, behenyl oleate, behenyl behenate, behenyl erucate, erucyl myristate, erucyl palmitate, erucyl stearate, erucyl isostearate, erucyl oleate, erucyl behenate and erucyl erucate. Additionally suitable are esters of C₁₈-C₃₈-alkylhydroxycarboxylic acids with linear or branched C₆-C₂₂-fatty alcohols, especially dioctyl malate, esters of linear and/or branched fatty acids with polyhydric alcohols (for example propylene glycol, dimerdiol or trimertriol), triglycerides based on C₆-C₁₀-fatty acids, liquid mono-/di-/triglyceride mixtures based on C₆-C₁₈-fatty acids, esters of C₆-C₂₂-fatty alcohols and/or Guerbet alcohols with aromatic carboxylic acids, especially benzoic acid, esters of C₂-C₁₂-dicarboxylic acids with polyols having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups, vegetable oils, branched primary alcohols, substituted cyclohexanes, linear and branched C₆-C₂₂-fatty alcohol carbonates, for example dicaprylyl carbonate (Cetiol® CC), Guerbet carbonates based on fatty alcohols having 6 to 18, preferably 8 to 10, carbon atoms, esters of benzoic acid with linear and/or branched C₆-C₂₂-alcohols (e.g. Finsolv® TN), linear or branched, symmetrical or asymmetrical dialkyl ethers having 6 to 22 carbon atoms per alkyl group, for example dicaprylyl ether (Cetiol® OE), ring-opening products of epoxidized fatty acid esters with polyols and hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof.

Useful further oil bodies are, for example, silicone oils. They may be present as cyclic and/or linear silicone oils. Silicone oils are high molecular weight synthetic polymeric compounds in which silicon atoms are joined via oxygen atoms in a chain-like and/or grid-like manner and the remaining valences of silicon are satisfied by hydrocarbon radicals (usually methyl, more rarely ethyl, propyl, phenyl groups etc.). Systematically, the silicone oils are referred to as polyorganosiloxanes. The methyl-substituted polyorgano-siloxanes, which are the most important compounds of this group in terms of volume and are characterized by the following structural formula

are also referred to as polydimethylsiloxane or dimethicone (INCI). Dimethicones come in various chain lengths and with various molecular weights.

Advantageous polyorganosiloxanes in the context of the present invention are, for example, dimethylpoly-siloxane [poly(dimethylsiloxane)], which are available, for example, under the Abil 10 to 10 000 trade names from Evonik Goldschmidt. Also advantageous are phenylmethylpolysiloxane (INCI: Phenyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone), cyclic silicones (octamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane or decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), which are also referred to in accordance with INCI as Cyclomethicone, amino-modified silicones (INCI: Amodimethicone) and silicone waxes, e.g. polysiloxane-polyalkylene copolymers (INCI: Stearyl Dimethicone and Cetyl Dimethicone) and dialkoxydimethylpolysiloxanes (Stearoxy Dimethicone and Behenoxy Stearyl Dimethicone), which are available as various Abil wax grades from Evonik Goldschmidt. However, other silicone oils can also be used advantageously in the context of the present invention, for example cetyldimethicone, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, poly(methylphenylsiloxane). Silicones which are particularly preferred in accordance with the invention are dimethicone and cyclomethicone.

The inventive formulations may further comprise biogenic active ingredients, insect repellents, tyrosinase inhibitors, preservatives, perfume oils, superfatting agents, stabilizers and/or hydrotropes.

The invention provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and at least one biogenic active ingredient, insect repellent, tyrosinase inhibitor, preservative, perfume oil, stabilizer and/or hydrotrope.

The invention preferably provides cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes, and which hydrocarbons comprise at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than 1, preferably by 2, and at least one biogenic active ingredient, insect repellent, tyrosinase inhibitor, preservative, perfume oil, stabilizer and/or hydrotrope.

Biogenic active ingredients are understood to mean, for example, tocopherol, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol palmitate, ascorbic acid, (deoxy)ribonucleic acid and fragmentation products thereof, β-glucans, retinol, bisabolol, allantoin, phytantriol, panthenol, AHA acids, amino acids, ceramides, pseudoceramides, essential oils, plant extracts, for example Aloe Vera, prunus extract, bambara nut extract and vitamin complexes.

Useful insect repellents include, for example, N,N-dimethyl-m-toluamide, 1,2-pentanediol or ethyl 3-(N-n-butyl-N-acetylamino)propionate), which is sold under the Insect Repellent® 3535 name by Merck KGaA, and butylacetylaminopropionates.

Useful tyrosine inhibitors which prevent the formation of melanine and find use in depigmenting agents include, for example, arbutin, ferulic acid, kojic acid, cumaric acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Suitable preservatives are, for example, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde solution, parabens, pentanediol or sorbic acid, and the silver complexes known under the Surfacine® name. Additionally suitable as preservatives are the 1,2-alkanediols having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, which are described in WO 07/048,757.

Suitable preservatives are especially the substances approved according to Annex VI of the Commission Directive (in the version: Commission Directive 2007/22/EC of 17 Apr. 2007 amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC, concerning cosmetic products, for the purposes of adapting Annexes IV and VI thereto to technical progress), to which reference is made here explicitly.

Perfume oils include mixtures of natural and synthetic odorants. Natural odorants are extracts from flowers, stems and leaves, fruit, fruit shells, roots, wood, herbs and grasses, needles and branches, resins and balsams. Additionally useful are animal raw materials, for example civet and castoreum, and synthetic odorant compounds of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and hydrocarbon type.

The stabilizers used may be metal salts of fatty acids, for example stearates or ricinoleates of magnesium, aluminum and/or zinc.

To improve the flow behavior, it is also possible to use hydrotropes, for example ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or polyols. Polyols which are useful here possess preferably 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least two hydroxyl groups. The polyols may contain further functional groups, especially amino groups, or be modified with nitrogen.

EXAMPLES Preparation Example 1 Preparation of an Inventive Hydrocarbon Mixture

To prepare an inventive hydrocarbon mixture, tridecane and undecane were first prepared separately from one another from the particular fatty alcohols, and then mixed in the desired ratio relative to one another.

1a) Preparation of Tridecane from 1-Tetradecanol

1000 g of 1-tetradecanol (4.7 mol; Lorol® C 14 from Cognis) were initially charged in a stirrable pressure vessel with 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; Ni content=63% by weight) and heated to 240° C. Subsequently, hydrogen was added via a sparging tube at a pressure of 20 bar over a period of 12 h, and the reaction gases were simultaneously discharged through a valve on the reactor lid. Thereafter, the product was cooled, discharged and filtered. This gave a final weight of 845 g of reaction product.

A GC analysis shows the following composition: 89.0% tridecane, 2.1% tetradecane, 4.1% 1-tetradecanol, 4.2% dimeric reaction products. This reaction product was fractionated in a distillation to give pure tridecane, and then deodorized with nitrogen. This gives a colorless, mobile and low-odor product.

1b) Preparation of Undecane from 1-Dodecanol

1000 g of 1-dodecanol (5.4 mol; Lorol® C 12 from Cognis) were initially charged in a stirrable pressure vessel with 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; Ni content=63% by weight) and heated to 240° C. Subsequently, hydrogen was added via a sparging tube at a pressure of 20 bar over a period of 12 h, and the reaction gases were simultaneously discharged through a valve on the reactor lid. Thereafter, the product was cooled and discharged and filtered. This gave a final weight of 835 g of reaction product.

A GC analysis shows the following composition: 68.4% undecane, 0.6% dodecane, 21.7% 1-dodecanol, 7.2% dimeric reaction products. This reaction product was distilled in order to obtain undecane in pure form. This was then deodorized with nitrogen. This gives a colorless, mobile and low-odor product.

The compounds obtained according to example 1a) and according to example 1b) were used to prepare the following inventive hydrocarbon mixture:

Composition of the hydrocarbon mixture according to example 1: 76% by weight of n-undecane, 24% by weight of n-tridecane.

Preparation Example 2

To prepare an inventive hydrocarbon mixture, a fatty alcohol mixture which comprises C12 and C14 fatty alcohols correspondingly to the hydrocarbon mixture to be prepared was subjected to a reductive dehydroxymethylation.

1000 g of Lorol® Spezial (from Cognis; fatty alcohol distribution C12 fatty alcohol 70-75%, C14 fatty alcohol 24-30%, C16 less than 4%) and 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; Ni content=63% by weight) were initially charged in an autoclave. The reactor was closed and evacuated. The reaction mixture was then heated to approx. 80° C. under reduced pressure and stirred for 30 min. Thereafter, the reactor was brought to approx. 80 bar with hydrogen and heated continuously to 250° C. The reaction is complete when the pressure remains constant and the majority of the fatty alcohol has been converted to the desired hydrocarbon. After decompressing and venting with nitrogen, the product was purified by distillation. The purified product is obtained as a colorless liquid.

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 2 has the following composition (GC analysis):

Proportion in the sum total Hydrocarbons with a carbon of the hydrocarbons [% by number of weight] C11 (linear) 67 C12 4 C13 (linear) 26 C14 1.5 C9, C10, C15 1.5

The weight ratio of linear C11 hydrocarbon to linear C13 hydrocarbon is 2.57. The weight ratio of the C12 hydrocarbons to the C14 hydrocarbons is likewise 2.57.

Preparation Example 3

To prepare an inventive hydrocarbon mixture, a fatty alcohol mixture which comprises C12, C14, C16 and C18 fatty alcohols correspondingly to the hydrocarbon mixture to be prepared is subjected to a reductive dehydroxymethylation: 1000 g of Lorol® Technisch (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C12, C14, C16 and C18 fatty alcohols) and 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; nickel content=63% by weight) are initially charged in an autoclave. The reactor is closed and evacuated. The reaction mixture is subsequently heated to approx. 80° C. under reduced pressure and stirred for 30 min. Thereafter, the reactor is brought to approx. 80 bar with hydrogen and heated continuously to 250° C. The reaction is complete when the pressure remains constant and the majority of the fatty alcohol has been converted to the desired hydrocarbon. After decompressing and venting with nitrogen, the product is purified by distillation. The purified product is obtained as a colorless liquid.

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 3 has the following composition (GC analysis): C11 hydrocarbon 55%, C13 hydrocarbon 20%, C15 hydrocarbon 10%, C17 hydrocarbon 15%.

Preparation Examples 4A to C

To prepare an inventive hydrocarbon mixture, a fatty alcohol mixture which comprises C16 and C18 fatty alcohols correspondingly to the hydrocarbon mixture to be prepared is subjected to a reductive dehydroxymethylation: 1000 g of Stenol® 16 65 (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols) and 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; nickel content=63% by weight) are initially charged in an autoclave. The reactor is closed and evacuated. The reaction mixture is subsequently heated to approx. 80° C. under reduced pressure and stirred for 30 min. Thereafter, the reactor is brought to approx. 80 bar with hydrogen and heated continuously to 250° C. The reaction is complete when the pressure remains constant and the majority of the fatty alcohol has been converted to the desired hydrocarbon. After decompressing and venting with nitrogen, the product is purified by distillation. The purified product is obtained as a colorless liquid.

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 4A has the following composition (GC analysis): C15 hydrocarbon 65%, C17 hydrocarbon 35%.

Converted in an identical manner are 1000 g of Stenol® 16-18 (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols) (=preparation example 4B), as are 1000 g of Hydrenol® D (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols) (=preparation example 4C).

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 4B has the following composition (GC analysis): C15 hydrocarbon 50%, C17 hydrocarbon 50%. The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 4C has the following composition (GC analysis): C15 hydrocarbon 30%, C17 hydrocarbon 70%.

Preparation Examples 5A to C

To prepare an inventive hydrocarbon mixture, a fatty alcohol mixture which comprises C18, C20 and C22 fatty alcohols correspondingly to the hydrocarbon mixture to be prepared is subjected to a reductive dehydroxymethylation: 1000 g of Stenol® 1822-45 (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C18, C20 and C22 fatty alcohols) and 10 g of a nickel catalyst (Ni-5249 P from Engelhard; nickel content=63% by weight) are initially charged in an autoclave. The reactor is closed and evacuated. The reaction mixture is subsequently heated to approx. 80° C. under reduced pressure and stirred for 30 min. Thereafter, the reactor is brought to approx. 80 bar with hydrogen and heated continuously to 250° C. The reaction is complete when the pressure remains constant and the majority of the fatty alcohol has been converted to the desired hydrocarbon. After decompressing and venting with nitrogen, the product is purified by distillation. The purified product is obtained as a colorless liquid.

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 5A has the following composition (GC analysis): C17 hydrocarbon 45%, C19 hydrocarbon 10%, C21 hydrocarbon 45%.

Converted in an identical manner are 1000 g of Stenol® AT (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C18, C20 and C22 fatty alcohols) (=preparation example 5B), as are 1000 g of Stenol® 1822-70 (from Cognis; fatty alcohol mixture of C18, C20 and C22 fatty alcohols) (=preparation example 5C).

The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 5B has the following composition (GC analysis): C17 hydrocarbon 40%, C19 hydrocarbon 12%, C21 hydrocarbon 48%. The hydrocarbon mixture obtainable according to preparation example 5C has the following composition (GC analysis): C17 hydrocarbon 10%, C19 hydrocarbon 15%, C21 hydrocarbon 75%.

Use Example 1

The mixture of n-undecane and n-tridecane obtained according to preparation example 2 was used for the following deodorant stick formulation, and the hardness of the formulations thus obtained was tested (all figures in percent by weight):

Ingredients Inventive Comparative INCI [trade name] example example Stearyl alcohol [Lanette ® 18] 14.7 14.7 Hydrogenated castor oil 3.7 3.7 [Cutina ® HR] Cyclomethicone — 58.7 [Dow Corning ® 245] n-Undecane/n-tridecane according 58.7 — to preparation example 2 Aluminum zirconium 22.9 22.9 tetrachlorohydrex GLY [Rezal ® 36 GP] Hardness 4.0 3.5

The hardness (indentation depth) was determined according to the Deutsche Einheitsmethoden zur Untersuchung von Fetten, Fettprodukten, Tensiden and verwandten Stoffen [German standard methods for analyzing fats, fat products, surfactants and related substances], Bestimmung der Harte von Wachsen [Determination of the hardness of waxes], Nadel-Penetration [Needle penetration] M-III 9b (98).

Use Example 2

The cream produced according to the formulation below was tested by a panel of 5 sensorily skilled subjects and assessed as sensorily “light”.

All-purpose cream (W/O) Component/ % by Phase trade name INCI wt. I. DEHYMULS ® E Dicocoyl pentaerythrityl 3.00 distearyl citrate (and) sorbitan sesquioleate (and) cera alba (beeswax) (and) aluminum stearate DEHYMULS ® PGPH Polyglyceryl 2 dipoly- 2.00 hydroxystearate CETIOL ® OE Dicaprylyl ether 5.00 CETIOL ® 868 Ethylhexyl stearate 5.00 MYRITOL ® 331 Cocoglycerides 1.00 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 6.00 preparation example 1 or preparation example 2 II. Glycerol 86% 5.00 MgSO₄ × 7H₂O 1.00 Water, deionized 72.00  III. Preservative q.s.

Production: The components of phase I were melted at 80 to 85° C. and stirred for homogeneity. The components of phase II were heated to 80 to 85° C. and added slowly with stirring to phase I. The mixture was stirred at this temperature for a further 5 minutes. Thereafter, the emulsion was cooled with stirring and homogenized at 65 to 55° C. As soon as the emulsion appeared homogeneous, it was cooled further to 30° C. with stirring. Thereafter, components of phase III were added and the mixture was stirred again.

Formulation Examples

Balsam for moistening and for protection of the lips

% by Phase Component INCI wt. I. Cerilla Candelilla (Euphorbia 7.53 Raffinée G* Cerifera) wax CUTINA ® LM Polyglyceryl-2 6.57 conc. dipolyhydroxystearate and octyldodecanol and Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) wax and Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) wax and beeswax and cetearyl glucoside and cetearyl alcohol Colophane Rosin 1.89 claire type Y Cerauba T1* Carnauba (Copernica 1.86 Cerifera) wax Cerabeil Beeswax 5.31 blanche 1* Hydrocarbon mixture according to 15.57 preparation example 1 or 2 EUTANOL ® G Octyldodecanol 21.71 Crodamol ML Myristyl lactate 1.13 (Croda) ELESTAB ® 366 0.43 II. Castor oil Castor oil 35.00 III. IRWINOL ® LS African wild mango 3.00 9319 butter *obtainable from Lambert-Rivière (France)

Production: Phase I was melted at 85° C., phase II was added and the temperature was kept at 80° C. Phase III was added shortly before introduction into the mold (which was moistened with 50 cts dimethicone and preheated to 40° C.) The material was introduced into the mold and cooled to 40° C. The molds were cooled to close to 0° C. in a freezer.

Styling wax % by Phase Component INCI wt. I. CUTINA ® MD Glyceryl stearate 47.0 COMPERLAN ® 100 Cocamide MEA 2.50 CUTINA ® HR powder Hydrogenated castor 2.50 oil PLANTACARE ® 1200 Lauryl glucoside 5.00 UP LANETTE ® O Cetearyl alcohol 7.00 CUTINA ® CP Cetyl palmitate 7.00 EUMULGIN ® O 20 Oleth-20 5.00 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 23.5 preparation example 1 or 2 Wacker Siliconoil Dimethicone 0.50 AK 350

The production was effected by heating all the components to 80° C. and homogenizing.

Moisturizing body milk % by Phase Component INCI wt. EMULGADE ® CM Cetearyl isononanoate 5.0 (and) ceteareth-20 (and) cetearyl alcohol (and) glyceryl stearate (and) glycerol (and) ceteareth EUMULGIN ® VL 75 Lauryl glucoside (and) 2.0 polyglyceryl-2- dipolyhydroxystearate (and) glycerol CETIOL ® OE Dicaprylyl ether 4.0 CETIOL ® 600 Oleyl erucate 1.0 ISOPROPYLMYRISTATE Isopropyl myristate 7.0 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 7.0 preparation example 1 or 2 II. Water, deionized ad 100 III. Cosmedia SP Sodium polyacrylate 0.4 IV. HISPAGEL ® 200 Glycerol (and) 20.0  glyceryl polyacrylate V. Preservative, q.s. perfume pH 5.5

The production was effected by mixing phase I and water at room temperature with stirring. Then phase III was added and the mixture was stirred until said mixture was homogeneous and swollen. Then phase IV was added, followed by phase V, then the pH was adjusted.

O/W soft cream % by Phase Component INCI wt. I. EMULGADE ® SE- Glyceryl stearate (and) 6.0 PF ceteareth-20 (and) ceteareth-12 (and) stearyl alcohol (and) ceteareth-20 (and) distearyl ether LANETTE ® O Cetearyl alcohol 1.0 CUTINA ® MD Glyceryl stearate 2.0 CETIOL ® MM Myristyl myristate 2.0 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 8.0 preparation example 1 or 2 Jojoba oil Simmondsia Chinensis 2.0 (jojoba) seed oil COPHEROL ® Tocopheryl acetate 0.5 1250 Dimethicone 0.5 Cyclomethicone 3.0 II. Water Aqua ad 100 Propylene glycol 3.0 III. HISPAGEL ® 200 Glycerol (and) glyceryl 15.0  polyacrylate IV. Preservative q.s. pH 5.5-6.5

This cream was produced by heating phase I to 80° C., likewise heating phase II to 80° C., and adding it to phase I with stirring. This mixture was cooled with stirring and homogenized at approx. 55° C. with a suitable dispersing unit (e.g. Ultra Turrax). Then phase III was added with continuous stirring, phase IV was added and the pH was adjusted.

W/O cream Component/ % by Phase trade name INCI wt. I. MONOMULS ® 90 O 18 Glyceryl oleate 2.00 LAMEFORM ® TGI Polyglyceryl 3 4.00 diisostearate CETIOL ® A Hexyl laurate 12.00 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 12.00 preparation example 1 or 2 SIPOL ® C 16/18 OR Cetearyl alcohol 1.00 Zinc stearate Zinc stearate 2.00 Zinc oxide CI 77947 (or) zinc 15.00 oxide Magnesium sulfate Magnesium sulfate 1.00 Glycerol Glycerin 3.00 Preservative q.s. Benzyl alcohol Benzyl alcohol 0.40 HYDAGEN ® B Bisabolol 0.50 Water Aqua 100.00

The first 7 components were melted at 85° C. Magnesium sulfate and glycerol were dissolved in water, and this mixture was heated to 85° C. This aqueous phase was added to the oil phase and dispersed. With continuous stirring, the mixture was cooled to 40° C., and then benzyl alcohol and Hydagen B were mixed and added to the emulsion. With further stirring, the mixture was cooled down to 30° C. and homogenized.

“Body wash” cleaning emulsion % by Phase Component INCI wt. I. Texapon Ammonium lauryl sulfate 30.00 ALS-IS TEXAPON ® NSO Sodium laureth sulfate 18.00 Hydrocarbon mixture according to 18.00 preparation example 1 or 2 Plantacare ® Lauryl glucoside 8.00 1200 II. Jaguar Hydroxypropyl guar 2.00 HP 105 Euxyl K400 Methyldibromoglutaronitrile 0.10 and phenoxyethanol Water Aqua 23.90 pH value 5.6 

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A hydrocarbon mixture comprising ¹⁴C isotopes, which hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by more than
 1. 23. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 wherein said hydrocarbon mixture comprises at least two different hydrocarbons whose carbon numbers differ by
 2. 24. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 wherein the proportion of ¹⁴C isotopes to ¹²C isotopes is in the range from 6×10⁻¹³ to 1.2×10⁻¹².
 25. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising hydrocarbons which are selected from the group of hydrocarbons having 7 to 23 carbon atoms.
 26. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising less than or equal to 50% by weight, of branched hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.
 27. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 wherein said at least two different hydrocarbons make up at least 50% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.
 28. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising linear C11 and linear C13 hydrocarbons.
 29. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 28 further comprising at least one linear hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of linear C15, linear C17 and mixtures thereof.
 30. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising linear C15 and linear C17 hydrocarbons.
 31. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising linear C17 and linear C19 hydrocarbons.
 32. A method of preparing cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations comprising adding the hydrocarbon mixture of claim 1 to a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical base.
 33. A cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation comprising 0.1 to 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon mixture which comprises ¹⁴C isotopes.
 34. The cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation of claim 33 wherein the proportion of ¹⁴C isotopes relative to ¹²C isotopes in the hydrocarbon mixture is in the range from 6×10⁻¹³ to 1.2×10⁻¹².
 35. The cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation of as claimed in claim 33 further comprising at least one antiperspirant or deodorant active ingredient.
 36. The cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulation of claim 33 further comprising at least one emulsifier and/or surfactant and/or wax component and/or polymer and/or further oil body.
 37. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 25 comprising hydrocarbons which are selected from the group of hydrocarbons having 11 to 21 carbon atoms.
 38. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 22 comprising less than or equal to 1% by weight, of branched hydrocarbons, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.
 39. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 27 wherein said at least two different hydrocarbons make up at least 60% by weight, based on the sum of the hydrocarbons.
 40. The hydrocarbon mixture of claim 31 further comprising at least one linear C21 hydrocarbon.
 41. The method of claim 32 wherein said hydrocarbon mixture is added as an oil body and/or dispersant. 